TWENTY years ago Jo Busby’s dream of becoming a paramedic seemed like an impossible dream after illness prevented her from taking her exams.

Ten years later Jo had taken a step closer to her dream, but again had to put her plans on hold after she was hit by the death of both her parents.

Now the mum-of-two can finally realise her ambition as she is working towards the qualifications she needs to do paramedic training at the University of Teesside.

And she has been recognised for her determination with an Individual Adult Learner Award, from Middlesbrough Learning Partnership, and a Regional Individual Learner Award from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, as part of Adult Learners’ Week.

Jo, 36, from Coulby Newham, who is mum to Chloe, 16 and Connor, 14, said: “I have always wanted to be a paramedic.

“When I left school I had no qualifications because I had been taken ill and they didn’t know what was wrong with me. They thought it was indigestion but it was my gall bladder and I had to go into hospital.”

Her chance to resit the exams was hit by a teachers’ strike and she was too scared to sit them at a college, so she got a job in a shop.

Ten years later she started working at the Patient Transport Service.

“I was hopefully going to do my training then but I lost my mum and dad and the time wasn’t right,” she said.

Last year Jo was finally able to take the first steps towards becoming a paramedic.

“Now you have to go through university to be a paramedic. Last year I applied to be a student paramedic I got refused because I didn’t have qualifications.”

Jo signed up for summer school classes in study support and essay writing and is now doing an access to health sciences course.

She works for North East Ambulance Service providing A&E support and now hopes to do the paramedic science degree at the University of Teesside.

The juggling mum even finds time to be secretary of junior football team Newham Rangers - teaching the youngsters about nutrition.

Jo said she was shocked to win the awards, but said: “Studying is so important - you only get out of life what you out in, especially nowadays.”

She added: “My daughter is doing her GCSEs at the moment and I want her to get an education and good qualifications.

“I know my children are proud of me and I think I’m a good role model.”